Blatter says he’s sorry, but won’t quit after racism comments

After Sepp Blatter caused worldwide outrage for his remarks about racism, he has apologised but says he won't quit.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter apologised today for his “unfortunate comments” on racism in the game but rejected calls to resign as head of world football’s governing body.

On Wednesday he told CNN that players who suffer racial abuse should simply shake hands with their abuser.

The Swiss – who was re-elected unopposed earlier this year amid claims of corruption within FIFA – added he didn’t believe that racism was prevalent within football.

His claims came on the back of a Football Association (FA) and police investigation into whether England captain John Terry racially abused QPR defender Anton Ferdinand and the announcement by the FA on Wednesday they had charged Uruguayan Luis Suarez with racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra.

Blatter, however, insisted that generally racism did not exist within the sport and there was no need for investigations into claims by the likes of Evra and Ferdinand.

“There is no racism, but maybe there is a word or gesture which is not the correct one,” the 75-year-old Blatter told CNN World Sport. “The one affected by this should say this is a game and shake hands.”

Today he said, “It hurts and I am still hurting because I couldn’t envisage such a reaction,” Blatter told the BBC in an interview, admitting he had used “unfortunate words” which he “deeply regretted.”

“When you have done something which was not totally correct, I can only say I am sorry for all those people affected by my declarations.”

But when asked about calls from a British minister and others that he should quit for his remarks suggesting that disputes on the pitch involving racist abuse should be resolved by a handshake, he refused.

“I cannot resign. Why should I?” he said.

British Prime Minister David Cameron also called the comments “appalling” and sports minister Hugh Robertson and the head of England’s Professional Footballers’ Association, Gordon Taylor, said Blatter should quit.

Blatter’s remarks have sparked a storm in England, where he was already unpopular for the way in which he and FIFA dealt with the country’s failed bid to stage the 2018 World Cup.